Hoyer Statement on District Court Striking Down Texas Voter ID Law

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against the Texas voter identification law:

“I applaud today’s ruling by the DC District Court that concluded the Texas voter identification law would make it more difficult for citizens to exercise their right to vote. This law is just one example of legislation that is being passed across the country that could disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, and college students. While proponents of these voter identification laws claim they’re targeting voter fraud, there is scant evidence that such fraud exists. Instead, the real purpose of these laws is to make it substantially harder for eligible voters to cast their ballot and have their votes counted.

“The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and that right must be protected. That is why I joined with my fellow House Democrats in introducing the Voter Empowerment Act this summer, which would modernize our voter registration system making it easier to register, ensure equal access to the ballot box, and prohibit deceptive practices intended to prevent people from voting. The House Republican leadership should work with us to bring it to the House Floor for a vote this Fall.”